Clothes Pin Work

Students use three finger grip to squeeze clothes pin onto an edge of a basket, metal cup, or string. This exercise helps develop concept of open/close, and also strengthens hand eye coordination. This activity indirectly helps prepare the child for holding a pencil, and writing exercises. An extension to this activity is connecting fabric leaves or pieces of cloth to a string or firm edge of basket.

Points of Interest

• Using DH to squeeze.
• Saying squeeze and squeezing the clothes pins at the same time.
• Placing the clothes pins on the edge of the container.

Control of Error

• Hearing pins snap when placing on the container.
• Having clothes pins snap off the container.
• Placing clothes pins upside down on the container.
• Breaking clothes pins because of improper use.

Direct Aims

• Developing hand-eye coordination.
• Developing concentration.
• Developing finger dexterity.
• Control of movement.
• Gaining independence.
• To provide motive for activity.

Indirect Aims

• Preparation for writing.

Aditional Exercises

• Colored clothes pins are matched and placed on the corresponding color of a color wheel or bowl with colored edges.
• Pinning clothes pins onto a string.
• Having a small clothes line in the class so children can hang material or clothes onto it.  (This would be an exercise on the shelf.)
• Using easel clips.
• Using tongs and tweezers.
• Using a baster or an eye dropper.
• Using squeeze bottles.
• Doing sponge work.

Extensions

• Having a small clothes line in the class so children can hang material or clothes onto it. (This would be an exercise on the shelf.)